Drowning Accidents

Drowning and swimming pool accidents are some of the most tragic and horrific events anyone can experience - the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that from 2005 through 2014, an average of over 3500 fatal unintentional and non-boating related drownings took place in the U.S. That’s about ten deaths every day. During that same time period, more than 300 people died annually as the result of boating accidents. Texas has ranked as high as the top three states with the largest number of accidental drowning, with most of them taking place between the Memorial and Labor Day weekends. As recently as May 2017, a young girl was found floating in a neighborhood pool in San Antonio.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury deaths around the world. In the United States, twenty percent, or about 1 in 5, of the people who die from drowning are children 14 years old or younger. For each one who dies as the result of drowning, there are five more children treated in emergency rooms for injuries related to water activities. If you or a loved one has been affected by an accidental drowning, contact a knowledgeable attorney at Carabin Shaw today.

With the availability of community and privately owned pools across San Antonio, increased access to water increases the potential for drowning. Children who live in an area with easy access to pools are at the greatest risk for drowning related injury and death. In most cases, drownings occur around pools without lifeguard supervision. The majority of drownings take place where the victim had no intention of entering the water. Other factors, such as insufficient swimming ability, lack of secure barriers, lack of supervision, alcohol use, and prior health conditions, also contribute to the high rates of drowning injuries and drowning related deaths.

About 350 children under 5 drown in pools each year. Drowning accidents are the second leading cause of death for this age group after motor vehicle incidents. Another 2,600 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year for near-drowning incidents. Over half of the victims treated in emergency rooms need hospitalization during recovery. This is close to ten times the hospitalization rate for all other accidental injuries.

Drowning injuries that don’t result in death can still lead to severe brain damage and long-term disabilities resulting in memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functioning. The most severe cases result in the patient being left in a permanent vegetative state. If you have been affected, you need an experienced attorney by your side.

Many of the individuals suffering permanent neurological disability, temporary injuries, or injuries leading to death were injured in backyard pools on privately owned properties. Property owners who have a pool on their premises should be expected to take reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of visitors to their residence.

We recommend the following:

• Four-sided isolation fencing at last five feet high
• Self-closing and self-latching gates
• Fencing should enclose the pool and spa entirely, preventing direct access

Other safety precautions include:

• Motion detectors
• Effective pool covers
• Remote cameras

What should you do if you or a loved one faces the unspeakable and suffers from a drowning accident? How will you sort through all of the legal issues that are a part of the aftermath of such a tragic event?

Drowning accidents in and around pools present a very special set of circumstances. Injuries are usually more serious and involve an intricate set of laws. Proving someone's negligence is often difficult and sometimes impossible. Early investigation is essential to handling these cases. An attorney can help you work through these very difficult circumstances. swimming pool accidents , contact the experienced team of San Antonio accidental drowning attorneys at Carabin Shaw. We understand what a difficult time it is in the days and weeks following such an event will work for your with empathy and sensitivity to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your case.

In San Antonio, call the lawyers at Carabin Shaw at 800-862-1260 for a free consultation.